ABOUT FESTIVALS

Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to work toward sustaining a vital and healthy business and retail community by showcasing the city’s attributes, encouraging tourism, and fostering civic, cultural and educational interests.

​

For 50 years in one of the nations top historic towns, Festivals of Cedarburg has been engaging communities, non-profits, and businesses to create best-in-class festivals and events. The town of Cedarburg, WI has been listed in Architectural Digest's Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America.  Cedarburg was built between the 1840's and early 1900's on Cedar Creek. Visitors and residents alike celebrate the charm and beauty of this beautiful downtown, named as a National Historic District in 1986.

​

Festival's history began with Wine & Harvest Festival started 1973 at the Cedar Creek Settlement by local resident and entrepreneur, Jim Pape. In February of 1974 Winter Festival was added, and in June of 1986 Strawberry Festival was launched. With the success of all of the Festivals, first annual German Festival, now known as Oktoberfest, joined in 2008.  In 2013, A Cedarburg Christmas was added to the line of up family-friendly events.

​

Until 2001, community volunteers, Cedarburg’s retail merchants and non-profit groups, along with the Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce helped create and sustain festivals. In 2001, the festivals had grown so large, that for charitable purposes, a 501(c)3 organization was founded named Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc. The board was made up of eleven volunteer members and an addition of an Executive Director. The Festival board, community, and retail members participate as part of a Festival Committee that meets the second Tuesday of each month at Cedarburg City Hall at 5:30pm. This meeting is open to the general public.

​